"There's only one hard and fast rule in running: sometimes you have to run one hard and fast."








Friday, February 19, 2010

What's coming next and, yes I really said it

This is the time of year when people look at their successes and failures of last year, plan for the new year and find themselves saying, "Maybe I need more (fill in the blank)." We all do it; I realized that I need more focus and this year I'm abandoning the run all distances every week and fail at all of them approach. Then it occurred to me that this is a great subject for a series of posts, as athletes tend to either pick and choose items from other people's schedules or blindly follow someone's training schedule (and when it fails, try someone else's).

So, coming up will be 4 [I think] posts on training philosophies. First, the high-mileage, race-yourself-into-shape approach. Second, the low-mileage, cross-training, race when things come together approach. Third, the variety of peaking strategies (so ingrained in most competitive runners they don't realize it's a choice). Fourth, I'll cover my own method, which might be more of a mindset than anything else.

Foot, meet mouth.

You know that filter that keeps you from saying things you think but realize will do no good? It's not that I don't have it; mine just seems to be a bit slower than it should be and, if what I'm thinking is clever or funny enough, I say it, knowing full well I'll feel terrible for saying it later. And yet, I'm just a little proud of it, too. Case in point:

A friend called to tell me the news that his wife just had the baby - healthy girl, blah blah blah (oops, mind wandered) and said the name. I wasn't sure if they went with the old-fashioned spelling of Christy or the more common Kristi. They spelled it Qhrystee. And I said...

"Did the crib come with a stripper pole?"

Really folks, stop it. Enough with the stoopid spellins. 4 reelz.

17 comments:

Christina said...

Seriously? I work with little kids and I am amazed at the names parents give their kids. I know of a girl whose name is "Princess." Some of them are fruits. Some of them have names that I think is more appropriate for family pets. Gee. Whatever happen to John, David, Mary, Jane, or even Christina?

Psyche said...

First, I am really looking forward to that series of posts!

Poor little Qhyrsty. She's gonna need some clear heels, too.

I had to laugh when you said you'll say those things if clever or funny enough ...and be a little proud of it, too. Me theenks it sez loads about ur personality!

ShutUpandRun said...

Hahahhaha stripper pole. Now that's funneee.

I once had two friends who were sisters named Cheddar and Swiss. No joke.

Mike Russell said...

That is classic. I am old school when it comes to names for a kid. Why give them that burden for years to come?

nwgdc said...

Well, I guess THAT name's off our list.

Jean said...

Hilarious!

I once worked at a place that maintained student records. I remember coming across this poor kid from Louisiana named "Michelob." The folks must have been fans of the beverage. :)

Looking forward to the trainining philosophies.

Bill Pomerenke said...

Hey, those names have nothing over the "old school" names from SW MN. And this is honest....guy's name was Harry Dick and another was Harry Balls...no lie....phone book to prove it. I think Michelob is now quite happy with his/her name given some alternatives....oh, almost forgot. I was a career counselor at the U in a past life and one of my student's name was Joe Cool.

Helen said...

That's so funny Bill - I had a lecturer in college who's name was Joe something (not actually "something" I just cannot remember his last name) - but we called him Joe Cool! He was a physics professor and was a bit out there, but definitely cool... in his own way.

Fun post Steve. Some parents have a lot to answer for!

Steve said...

I had a former co-worker who named his son Cap because his wife craved cappuccino while pregnant. Oy vey!

wildknits said...

It is a wonder that parents do not think through the name choices and at times it seems like they will through together any old set of letters. That said, Mr. Wildknits and I did the "if I was a mean 3rd grader what could I morph this name into" before settling on a name for the oldest girl. We did go with unique, and tweaked the spelling a bit to aid pronunciation (from the original Lithuanian), but not before trying to create all kinds of horrible nicknames from it first.

I can see the humor in your comment and I can also imagine the looks on the parent(s) faces... ;->

SteveQ said...

I just checked: if you Google "Qhrystee" this blog's the only hit!

T said...

ROTFL! Why, oh why, do parents curse their children with such names? It's like naming a white girl "Angel". She's cursed to live in a trailer with her six kids and have three of the baby daddies in and out of prison and her bed on a regular basis. I love that you said that though...

Matthew Patten said...

Read Freakenomics by Stephen Leavitt (sp)

He did a whole essay on the name subject.

Apparently a woman wanted to name her daughter (phoentically) "Shi teed" but spelled it "shithead".

Her cousin had to point out the blunder.

If I recall, your brother Richard falls into the interesting name category.

Anonymous said...

first day of class I always do attendance and is one of my favorite moments of the entire term. I get to hear what ridiculous pseudonyms these kids have. Like Andy Kaufman characters, although his were actually wonderful. Does it get any better than watching Andy as comedy lounge crooner "Tony Clifton" patronizing an entire audience...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=729c1C8lI_k&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uQlB99WCuk&feature=related

-wynn

Beth said...

Are you thinking that writing about Qhyrsty is making your faux pas better? I did rather enjoy the story, however. I hope the parents don't read your blog.

SteveQ said...

Beth, I've been thinking that perhaps the blog is a better outlet for poor thinking than just blurting it out at the time. I have to work a bit on the control, however.

prashant said...

I am really looking forward to that series of posts!

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